How to pronounce commando
Say it like kuh-MAN-doh. Commando has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce commando. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kuh
- MAN
- doh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Commando pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MANSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- dohGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of commando
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: kuh-MAHN-doh.
What does commando mean?
- A small fighting force specially trained for making quick destructive raids against enemy-held areas.
- A commando trooper.
Where does commando come from?
From Afrikaans kommando, from Portuguese comando (“command”), from Late Latin *commandare, from Latin commendare.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying commando
How do you pronounce commando?
Say kuh-MAN-doh. The American pronunciation is /kəˈmænˌdoʊ/. In British English it is /kəˈmɑːndəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in commando?
Commando has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (MAN). Broken into parts: kuh · MAN · doh.
Is commando pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat. The British form is /kəˈmɑːndəʊ/ (kuh-MAHN-doh).